Event

Call to Action: Empowering Queer Culture in Black Rock City

We collectively build Black Rock City from the ground up each year, and its foundational organizing principles are an ongoing conversation between the community and BMOrg. BMOrg is currently considering questions like, What is the role of a theme camp? Who gets placed where? and Why? This conversation is guiding the development of BRC culture. And as part of this conversation, we believe the LGBTQ+ community has a unique perspective to offer. We are a strong and vital subculture within the Burning Man community, and we have special insights to share and particular needs to feel safe and to thrive.

In order to ensure our perspective is included in the BRC cultural discussion, we are facilitating our own town hall meeting. In particular, we are interested in understanding your relationship to the 7:30 Sector and the Queerborhood. How can we continue to build intentional and connected community spaces, support each other, and keep our members safe and empowered on playa? If Black Rock City is going to make some big changes, how can we grow while protecting the aspects of BRC culture that allow so many of us to call it home?

Some pizza will be provided for those of us hustling directly from work, but bring your own beverages. (Vegan and gluten free options available.)

Please invite other LGBTQ+ burners in your network! We would like to include a broad set of opinions from a diverse set of viewpoints. Allies are welcome to attend, but we encourage you to be aware of your privilege when speaking. This forums purpose is to address queer-specific issues.

Attending in person is strongly recommended, however, if needed, you can join in the discussion remotely at: https://zoom.us/j/872715941

If you wish to learn more about the history of queer culture on playa, please consider reading this article: http://queerburners.com/history (The 2016 meeting with BMOrg about the purpose of the Gayborhood/Queerborhood in BRC is particularly relevant to our present discussion. The Queerborhood is not an officially recognized entity by BMOrg, but our 2016 survey demonstrated that we have legitimate concerns regarding constructing safe spaces on playa.)

Special thanks to Comfort and Joy and Bernadette for the use of their beautiful space.

Finally, if you are unable to attend, please consider organizing your own community conversation within your own camp or local network. Or join another publicly advertised event and share a queer perspective there. More information on other community conversations or organizing your own can be found here: https://journal.burningman.org/2018/10/black-rock-city/participate-in-brc/setting-a-cultural-direction-for-residential-black-rock-city/

Location

The Box Factory(View)
865 Florida Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
United States